The Northumberland official was appointed to take charge of the last game before Christmas, at home to Nottingham Forest, but picked up an injury early in the game and was replaced by the fourth official.

The was his second PNE appointment of the campaign, having been the man with the whistle for our goalless draw at Leeds United – our opening away game of the season back in August.

His last ‘full’ North End game here in PR1 was the 3-0 home win over Reading in March of last year, which was his third PNE game of that season, having been referee for the EFL Cup win over Oldham Athletic at Deepdale and the defeat at Sheffield Wednesday in early December.

The previous year he was the match official for the League Cup tie at Crewe Alexandra, which saw a 3-1 win for the Lilywhites and the year before that he took charge of the team twice, both at Deepdale, our 1-0 home win over Oldham back in August 2014 and the 2-2 draw with Leyton Orient in January.

This is Scott’s sixth year on the EFL lists, having been appointed to the elite group in 2012/13, taking charge of his first PNE game in what proved to be Graham Westley’s final home game, against Shrewsbury Town.

This is also his second Ipswich Town game of the season, having been the match official for their 1-0 away win at Derby County in November, one of his 28 games this season, where he has issued 78 cautions and sent off seven players, including Ben Pearson at Leeds.

On Saturday he will be assisted by David Avent and Rob Merchant, whilst Scott Oldham is the fourth official.